Welcome !

Lord knows the current UA/CO CEO is not an airline guy.

skyrider1877
 

Hello!! I'm new to Flyertalk and hoping to learn things and hopefully contribute. I love to travel, read, scrapbooking and jigsaw puzzles. I am retired and for the most part have no schedule.

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker but having spent so long learning I figured it's time to start contributing and put a little back. I live about 15 miles from London Gatwick which is very handy as I travel a lot with business but nearly entirely on Uk Domestic routes choosing BA whenever possible. In addition to my travel I also spend a lot time in IHG hotels and have made the heady heights of the Platinum tier.

Welcome, skyrider1877! Hope to see more of you around the forums!

Welcome to FT, dunnster!

Look forward to your future contributions!

Hello dunnster,

Welcome to FT......hope you enjoy your stay!!

Introducing myself: Maybe not a typical member
 

Hi, I’m Linda, a 66-year-old retired computer programmer and semi-professional actress. When I was working I did fly for business but not too often, average 2-3 times a year (hence the screen name). In retirement I fly for pleasure, between 2 and 5 times a year. I belong to all the main domestic reward programs and over the years I’ve managed to score at least a dozen free trips just by being careful never to let miles expire, and using the credit card offers. I’ve never bothered to save enough for non-economy awards, it wasn’t cost-effective for me. And I’ve never even tried for any elite status - I still book travel by cost and connection value and if I get miles that’s just gravy.

However I have had some fairly unique flying experiences in my life:
Traveled what I believe is still the longest route in the world: New York to Johannesburg.
Flown in teeny airplanes in Alaska (the smallest held just 4 people besides the pilot).
In my younger days as an Air Force wife, I rode along on a day-long training flight in a KC-135 tanker - got to sit in the pilot’s seat for about 5 minutes - got to be in the boom pod while it was refueling an SR-71 in the air.

I’ve also traveled to all 7 continents (including the one which has no commercial air service) and all 50 states.

A few years ago I decided to make and maintain a list of all airports I’ve flown into, out of, or through.
I’m up to 89 now and hope to live long enough to hit 100. I will add one new one later this year (Nairobi).

I use FlyerTalk when I need an expert opinion on a travel question, and also dip into it just for entertainment. I enjoy the “war stories” and get some useful advice on subjects I hadn’t even thought about. I do have some “peeves” about FT itself (is there a thread for this?):

People writing their posts almost entirely in jargon, acronyms and airport codes. Seriously, couldn’t you type the name of the place just as quickly as you hit the Caps Lock to use all those initials? I have to think about translating everything just to know what you’re talking about. Even road warriors don’t have ALL the airport codes memorized!

People bragging about their elite status and whining that their status doesn’t get them as much preferential treatment as they would like. And referring to economy class as “steerage”.

Happy flying, everyone!

Hey there, I am a 35 years old freelance Project Management Consultant specialized in Outsourcing, Carve Outs, Mergers & Acquisitions. I travel most of the time for my customers and T&T projects world wide. My wife was born in Venezuela and we fly regularly to CCS and then by car to Maracay. Have a great day!

introducing myself!
 

Hi everyone!

As a long-time reader, I decided it was at last time to join ft, not least of which because I have a few pressing questions about an upcoming trip with my gf.

Great to be a part of this awesome community of fellow travelers and airplane nuts! :)

Welcome !!:-:

Thanks! :)

Hi I'm a 35 year old busy stay at home mom of 3.... When I quit my job to stay home w/ my kids, I didn't want to give up travelling... So that led me to flyertalk. This is my first post because I'm scared of you people..LOL. I've been collecting points for several years now. We don't travel a lot, but when I can fly five people for free and stay free I'm a happy girl. Some favorite trips: Key West for a family wedding, taking my daughter to NYC for the first time, visiting Chicago w/ the family and going to FL several times..... Hoping to get to a few new places as a family esp. the Caribbean somewhere, Italy & the Olympics in Rio!

welcome ! that last trip will be tough to do on points/miles!:)

I would be willing to shell out some cash for the Olympics!

Welcome to the most addictive hobby in the world DAV

+1 welcome.

Newbie here
 

I am so glad i found this site!

age 26 born in geneva switzerland holding a polish passport speak 5 languages fluently (french, polish, hebrew, english and spanish)

I work as a commodities analysi for an israeli investment bank in London
studies: I started in UPC (Lima Peru) then applied math at Weizmann Institute (Tel Aviv Israel) and Insead France

Older-than-you-think professional who earned lots of BIS miles then discovered the tricks of this trade. Used the knowledge I've gotten so far to take my family to lots of exciting places around the world. Never made it past the mountains until I was over 28, my kids are spoiled. :rolleyes:

I've been a lurker on this very informative site for a while now and thought it was time I introduced myself. I live near Brisbane, Australia, and am now retired with a part-time job, so I can take the advantage of short trips now and then as opportunity and cost arise.

When I worked full-time, there were years when I hardly seemed to be off a plane or at home. Alas my trips were all domestic and it was mostly before the days of FF points and status credits (we could only fly QF and its domestic predecessor TAA/Australian Airlines). I am now Qantas Club FF Silver and heading to retain that status for another year but all my travel is at my own expense these days. I can't see myself ever reaching Gold (although you never know) or the even loftier heights of Platinum.

I don't wish to sound rude and feel free to slap me down if you think the question inappropriate but I notice many posters have Platinum this or Gold that as well as high status at various hotel chains. May I ask if you are all business people, rich or just savvy and simply know how to use the various FF systems to your advantage?

For myself, I have certainly increased FF points (and status credits) by flying eg BNE to CBR via SYD rather than a non-stop flight. I choose the cheaper QF fares when offered and there is usually not much difference in the cost. Is this how many of you experts are operating?

I have more than enough FF points for a oneWorld 35,000 mile trip in business class which I hope to use next year - the limitations are that you have a maximum of 5 stopovers but not twice in the same city, fly QF and at least 2 other oneWorld carriers and the journey can't be longer than 35k miles - which does give a lot of leeway.

Last time I did this I flew (thanks to the vagaries of the system) CBR-BNE-CNS-NRT (QF) (overnight in NRT but less than 24 hours so not a stopover), NRT-LHR (BA), LHR-ORD (BA); ORD-CDG (AA); bought a cheap ticket on BA from CDG to LHR, cheap ticket EDI-LHR (from BA), LHR-DUB, DUB-EDI (EI - these were bought direct from EI but I got full points and status credits with QF on the LHR-DUB leg as it was a QF codeshare. The BA points were pathetic.

I travelled by Eurostar to Brussels, then flew Brussels Airlines to Berlin, train to Amsterdam, then home AMS-LHR-SIN (BA); SIN-PER (QF) (overnight in Perth but again less than 24 hours), PER-SYD-CBR (QF). Great fun!

I've also discovered the advantages with QF of their points plus pay system and am travelling to Auckland soon for a relatively small price plus points. However it's my understanding that because I am "buying" a ticket, I get the normal points plus status credits, whereas had I just used FF points then, of course, I would simply be burning up points. This way at least I get some points back plus the even more important status credits.

Anyway, I think I've rambled on long enough - it's a great website and I'm going to see if I can take advantage of any other tips garnered from the regulars here. Thanks for reading.

many business people but many knowing how to maximize various programs.

Read the stickies of forums (most airline & hotel forums have stickies). Also serach for the threads such as Hyatt vrs Marriott, or Hilton compared to SPG. These I've found are handy for heavy users of each program to debate which program is the best and why.

The most important things you can understand (in my opinion) if travel is on your personal dime are twofold: 1) what are your personal goal(s)? (do you want to fly in buisness or first class internationally or are you just trying to get some tickets for you & family to get to Hawaii? 2) What is the ROI of your personal spend, in other words, if I fly X amount on this airline, what is it going to give me in return.

Hi. My husband and I have enjoyed mostly lurking on FlyerTalk for several years now and have learned lots from all of you. It is time to introduce ourselves.

Mr. Kaija is newly retired from his county attorney (some states call them district attorneys) position and now sits as a magistrate judge a couple of days a month....just enough to keep his hand in it a bit and yet leaving lots of time for leisure. He attended college in France, so is fluent in French, and is conversant in Spanish and we start every international trip with a few days in Paris. He would travel every week, given the chance.

I am retired from hospital patient care administration. I am the one who plans and arranges the details of our trips.

We try to travel internationally once or twice a year, and we are working our way through the fifty states for the second time as there is so much to experience in this country. We make a point of maintaining our Hilton diamond status-we have made many friends in the lounges over the years. We save up our ff miles to fly first class on international flights.

We are looking forward to participating in the Secret Santa this year.

+1^

It is nice to have another set of Valley residents on here, especially ones that may have connection to help me if I get into a legal bind with the MCSO. Welcome formally to FT and safe travels.

Gary ... formerly in ORD and PDX, now primarily based in YUL ... United Premier Executive and American Gold, 2004-2009 ... getting back into the frequent flier status world as my startup gets traction and puts me back in the air!

I am a compliance officer that travels to Europe and other international destinations. I live near Dallas Tx and mostly travel by AA. I have 8 international flights this year and will probably have as many or more next year. My job is to make sure that our manufacturing meets or exceeds federal, state, and local regulations. I am constantly reading regulations and spreading the word on change as it happens. Great Job. Love to travel too.

Welcome aboard! :-) Those eVIPs for int'l flights at any fare class are great, aren't they? That was the main thing that got me to jump from being a UA 1K over to AA executive platinum.

Getting to Rio will be the least of your worries. Accommodation (think double Carnaval & Reveillon prices) will be your biggest cost although we'll have a better idea after the World Cup in 2014

My 1st Post. Up we go. Wish me luck--I will certainly need it. Seeking info for an upcoming trip. Hope I find the right section to post in. This is a big forum!

Intro
 

I am bowled over by the travel experiences of members of this forum and know I will spend many happy hours catching up on them. I have been flying since 1965 (LPL-ORK on a Cambrian Viscount as an Unaccompanied Minor) on a wide variety of airlines and aircraft in much of the world. While my experience certainly includes some luxurious trips up front (or at the back in the propeller era) and I get just as much of a kick out of rougher flying experiences - LPL to AMS in a Dan Air Ambassador is one of my fondest memories, or from YWG to MSP in a DC-3.
I think that flying coach today is a much more mundane experience than it used to be, aircraft are much more generic. I was fortunate to fly in almost every type of aircraft from the early jet and turboprop era including Comets, Caravelles, 707s and DC-8s. I never tire of flying, and I make the most of any opportunity, and if this means having a total strangers only centimeters away from me so be it. Unfortunately my work does not allow me to travel as much as I would like, and I don't gather enough points to fly in the style that I would like very often. Flying seemed to be easier in the days when the public were less aware and amazing deals have always been available. I also recall when dressing well and being pleasant to airport staff often resulted in an upgrade.
I love any travel and travel by ship and unusual trains also appeals tremendously. As for hotels I am much pickier these days, and while I would 'slum' it on almost any airline or aircraft I won't do the same with hotels.
I feel that many members of this forum are kindred spirits. I will never get blase about flying, and certainly not luxury travel. The postings that appeal most are those by forum members who are truly delighted by any experience and admit when they are bowled over by the amazing facilities that are available at the higher end of today's market, and realize that such travel is a privilege, but who will equally enjoy travelling Y.
I live in the country close to Ottawa, Canada and work for the government - retirement is getting closer and after an extended absence for health reasons realize I am not ready for that yet. Travel is my life and if I could would do it on an continuous basis. However that is not feasible so I enjoy my home and its beautiful surroundings with my partner (also an avid traveller and aviation buff) and two dogs.
Within a couple of years I am hoping that a RTW in at least J Class will become a reality for us and I am sure that membership of this forum will assist in that goal. While I am sure most of you are streets ahead with regard to what's available today, I have great recollection and many tales of how it used to be and I hope to share some of that knowledge with those that appreciate such things.

First post. I post a lot on Australian Frequent Flyer and decided I would join FT since I have a US trip coming up and wanted to share and use the collective expertise here.

Hi! I have mostly been a lurker on Flyertalk and I decided to be more active lately. I was born in the Philippines. I grew up and currently live in Chicago, IL. I work in a nonprofit coalition helping immigrants and refugees integrate to US mainstream society. I also teach part-time at Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School of Social Work. I recently fly to the Philippines and Asia regularly for my international philanthropy projects there. I enjoy reading all the posts at Flyertalk and at times I had taken advantage of the mileage runs posted. I hope I could contribute to the Flyertalk community.

Formally joined flyertalk today 11/16/12
 

i just formally joined this community, I have been a lurker without logging in for a while. I have benefited a lot from the discussions and tips, I thought I should step up and contribute. Thanks for all the opinions here.

Joe

Congrats & Welcome!!

Cheers.

Formally joined flyertalk today 11/16/12
 

Welcome to the community

Formally joined flyertalk today 11/16/12
 

Welcome! It's a wealth of information!

Welcome to FT!

Welcome. Now just post away:)

Congrats and welcome aboard.

Just realized that I have been a member here for over 10 years and don't visit as often as I should. I'm looking to change that now along with a few other positives in my life!

I'm a lurker living in TPA and having grown up all over the world. I went to 15 schools before graduating from high school including some time in London, Saudi Arabia (Yanbu) and Nicosia Cyprus (boarding school).

I travel a little for work but always within Florida as I work for a firm with only state wide locations. It helps to satisfy my craving to travel and gets me home to my own bed at night. I supplement that with frequent weekend trips with the family as we all love to stay in hotels. Two words, "Towel Service".

Mrs. Jonnychoc works in relocation and has an IATA card so we get to take advantage of Travel Agents rates as often as we can. It has spoiled our son already but worth it in my eyes!

Looking forward to the Secret Santa this year and getting to know everyone a little better! I've already received so much help and guidance that I'm looking to repay and pay forward what I can as well.